Previous Information (9/30/1999 - 12/15/1999)
02/13/2000 Dear Friends: It's that time again! Time for us all to put our Christy caps on and start doing our part with the business at hand. Christy starts her second stem cell transplant this week. I'll give you a brief rundown on how the weeks will go, however I will be updating this page everyday from now on. If you would like in depth detail about her hospital schedule you can go to the main page. Christy will be going to the hospital every morning for the next two and a half weeks, everyday there will be labs done and medications given. The chemo-Taxol actually starts on Tuesday and ends Wednesday, she gets one day of rest and the transplant takes place on Friday. The oncology staff has said that this week will be the better of the two. During this week Christy will be popping on some days up to eight different pills throughout the day and will be injected with six more in the treatment center. Christy will be tired and her counts low, however this time she will most likely not get the vomiting, that's what they are telling us anyway. The second week will be the challenge. In 80 percent of the cases patients go back into the hospital due to complications with throat and mouth sores, and therefore not being able to hydrate herself or eat. She will basically be miserable. It's the trade off of the century, she won't be nauseas but she wont be able to eat anyway!
The hopeful end in sight is March 2-3. Those of you wanting to help in anyway can call Christy at home. If you would like to bring over food, please call Cathy Powell. The same guidelines still apply as to food preparation. No fresh unpeeled fruit, or uncooked vegetables. Use pepper only during cooking of food so that it can be heated through. Well done poultry. Cathy can give you more information. Also, no plants or fresh flowers. However, Christy really likes the paper kind that you get on greeting cards, or hand drawn ones if you have time to doodle. And if you have the time, send Nathan one too. He loves getting mail! Visitors! Yes, Christy does not want to be a hermit but her condition will be fragile and we will need to keep a few things in mind: Please call if you can before coming over, she might be sleeping. But don't stay away! If you, or anyone in your immediate family is sick or coming down with something please visit another day. Or e-mail her, she loves those notes. Maybe she'll be in the chat room a bit more since she will be home on the computer rather than on the laptop in a hospital. And really important- scrub a dub, dub. Washing of hands is the best way to prevent the spread of germs.
Finally, a note from your author. I am continually amazed at the power of faith and friendship that we have shown our dear friend Christy. All of you out there that know Christy somehow, most of you I have never met yet feel bonded to has been her gift to us. We are the circle. Everyone of you has made the difference and brought Christy this far, we WILL get her the rest of the way!
2/14/2000 Happy Valentines Day! It was a pretty calm day on the outside, but a tornado was whirling around in Christy's stomach on the inside. It has been since last week thinking about the events to take place. And today was the first step. The medication lines were put in today at about 3:00 p.m. The morning was quiet and Christy ran a few errands while the kids were at daycare/school. Kathy Bartson came by and they went together to the hospital to have the procedure done. Since this was not done earlier in the day as scheduled they were not able to start the Taxol. This will begin tomorrow. There were no complications with the line installation ( I wish my cable line could be installed so quickly!) and she went home. Christy is pretty uncomfortable with the lines hanging out of her chest. She will not be able to pick up the kids, so we all will need to do some extra lovin'.
2/15/2000 Today Mark stayed home from work in order to take Christy to the hospital. Back at the home front, Tula was busy with the kids. At 7:45 a.m. Mark and Christy were at the blood draw then it was up to the infusion clinic for more blood draw and some pre-medications to the Taxol were given. She was finally given the chemo/Taxol at about 10:45 a.m. They had to wait for about an hour after because there can be complications from the chemo such as high temperature and blood pressure changes. Everything checked out o.k. so they were able to go home and do the mommy and daddy thing and give Nathan and Maria lunch. Christy will be wearing a pack of the Taxol around her neck (it is too heavy to hang around the waist) that will continuously drip it into her system. It is quite cumbersome and makes it pretty impossible to pick up the kids. After lunch Mark took Nathan on a road trip to the store while Christy was able to take a nap. Christy was glad Mark could take the day off, there's nothing like your husbands shoulder to lean on! Back at home Nathan was looking at Christy and the contraption of tubes and bags and was a bit sad, he said mommy has a Babu and he's really sad about that because he can't give her big hugs and cuddle all up into her. Christy reassured him that she will be able to give him squishy hugs soon! I just had to share that story because it is so sweet. Kids are so perceptive when someone they love is hurting, and they can give some great healing love!
2/16/2000 Today was a rather quiet day as far as the hospital goes. I had the honor of escorting Christy to the infusion clinic today and it is quite the experience. Christy says every time she comes here she is amazed at how many people have cancer. There are also a lot of patients that come from all over the state, are here alone with no support net. There are blessings even in the worst circumstances, and Christy really counts us all as true blessings. Her support net. While the rest of the Taxol went into Christy's tubes we chatted and she had her blood drawn for labs and vitals taken. After the nurse took off the empty Taxol bag and flushed her lines the doctors came for their visit. They were discussing that Christy needs to start her mouth care. This will give her a jump on the mouth sores that will most likely come with the next chemo Malphalon that will be given tomorrow. This mouth care consists of a baking soda and warm salt water solution that she swishes and gargles with four times a day. This really makes her gag. She also needs to pour alcohol on her toothbrush before and after brushing. The doctors then went on discussing what will be happening tomorrow and what side effects to expect. Christy had concerns about the chemo Malphalon and the doctors were reassuring her not to worry, its not going to be too bad, as he said with a smile on his face. Christy's response, "Oh, so you've had it before?" Chuckles broke out from us all. Then a come back from the doc was , " Yeah, we do demo days here on Wednesdays." We were done at the hospital by 11:15 a.m. I took Christy home to a quiet house where she was going to do a bit of laundry and take a nap. She was also planning on making dinner for the family tonight. Something she won't feel like doing in the days to come I have a feeling.
2/17/2000 Christy says the day was pretty uneventful. Ha! When I called her for the update of the day she had gone to bed, it was 9:00 p.m. Sorry for waking you up honey! Christy was at the hospital with Mark by 7:30 a.m. By the time her blood was drawn for the daily labs, they were an hour behind in starting the Malphalon-chemo treatment. It takes a couple of hours for the each dose to be administered and she receives two today, spaced apart. She dozed on and off while watching a bit of Martha Stewart and View. She says it reminds her of the routine she had while in the hospital with transplant number one. Mark stayed through the first half of the day then he left so second shift could take over, watching over her. Cathy Powell did a bang up job with company duties. Christy's parents dropped by for a bit to visit while all the hydrating and treatment went on. She finally left the hospital at 7:30 p.m. It was too late and Christy was a bit exhausted to take a walk like she was able to enjoy on Wednesday. The Bartson's brought over dinner and took the kids to Mushroom Park for some fun in the snow. It was a long day and I think Christy is looking forward to a short one tomorrow, transplant day.
2/18/2000 Transplant Day. Christy says this was a pretty smooth sailing day in the hospital as well. No complication or side effects are showing up yet. The transplant took place in the morning and she was home by about 1:00 p.m. Christy says she pretty much felt like a zombie the whole day though. She tried laying down but couldn't seem to be comfortable for too long in one spot. Tula and Jim came by later in the afternoon and stayed for a while. When I talked to Christy she says the day was a haze and hard to remember everything. She does remember Nathan suggesting to her that she put her pajamas on, and the next thing she knew it was 12:oo midnight and she hadn't taken her 10:00 p.m. pill. This meant she needed to set the alarm to get up at 2:00 a.m. to take her midnight one. This business of setting alarms in the middle of the night to take pills has got to be tiring just in itself.
2/19/2000 It was back to the hospital today for the daily routine. Christy slept a little off and on while laying there being hydrated and drugged. Her blood pressure was a little low today but her counts haven't started to drop yet. She had a Nupogen shot today as well. She is still showing no signs of mouth sores yet, but it's still early. Sharon and Ali came to the house today to play with kids and give some tech support. They ordered pizza to go along with a delicious spinach pie that Katina P. made. Christy was trying to eat some bread when I called to talk with her. She said that it is really hard for her to concentrate on anything, even mindless TV. She apologized for being such a dud. PLEASE! You be a dud, I'll make milk duds out of it. Just for a little interesting information: I was watching the Victory Garden this afternoon and they were in Scotland. They were discussing the clippings that were surrounding a large bush like tree they shape into a cone. They give the clippings to a pharmaceutical company and they make Taxol with it. Christy has a bit of Scotland in her now, watch out for the Highland Plaids to start showing up in her spring clothing collection!
2/20/2000 What a day! It was Cathy Powell and Jen Ryan who were to take Christy to the hospital for her daily visit. They arrived at the Yenkel's to find poor Christy puking on the front steps. She had felt pukey Saturday night as well. Because it was Sunday, Christy had her infusion done on the ward at 8south, where she did time for the last transplant. She was done infusing by about 12:30 p.m. and she was still very weak and not looking her usual cute self. So the girls wheeled her down to the car parking lot. While in the structure she needed to throw up again so they found a bathroom and a sink. Christy's blood pressure was still low and they think she fainted while she was puking. She bumped her head on the sink then wilted down to the floor. Cathy ran for help while Jen stayed with Christy. They took her to emergency, hooked her up to fluids and by 5:45 p.m. she was admitted and in her room on the 8th floor. Mark was in her room waiting for her by then. Mark says that later in the evening she looked a great deal better, her blood pressure was up and they were pumping her full of fluids. They think they'll keep her there for a couple of days. Since the mouth sores have not shown up, it may just be trying to stabilize her. Cathy sensed relief in Christy when they left her. I think not having to set alarms and remember all the pill regiment is a big relief in itself. She feels comfortable being in the controlled environment of the hospital. However it's a give and take. She misses her family, but there she can really get back to the job of recuperating. She did such fabulous work of her own health care the first week, I don't think I could have done it. She gives me inspiration.
2/21/2000 I hope that I didn't get you all too worked up or worried about the bathroom floor incident yesterday. Christy just has a little bump and she looks good. She had a blood transfusion today and no mouth sores yet. Yeah! She had a few visitors today. Dave, Renee, Cathy P., Kathy B., and her dad. She is feeling tired, her counts have bottomed out and will stay low now for about 8 days. She has not been nauseas but her taste buds are not there so she still doesn't eat much. I do have a correction to the bathroom emergency incident. It seems Christy was sitting in a wheel chair throwing up into the sink when she must have pushed herself away and fell out onto the floor while fainting. Not that it is any better, she still ended up on the floor. If she was more with it she would have freaked to be laying on a public bathroom floor. Hurry get the antibacterial soap! I can only equate this with those irresponsible days of adolescents worshipping the porcelain tank god. You didn't pay attention to the germ factor- only the coolness and relief!
2/22/2000 Well, I saw the patient myself today. Her dad was also visiting when I arrived. She is on the same ward but on what they call the "river view" side. Yes it's a nice view, however I wish that these days were not going to be so nice in temperature and sun. It is harder to be a caged bird when your fellow flock is flitting about enjoying it and you only want to go and fly in the sun with them. I hope that it rains. I think she was feeling really melancholy about her life and existence in hospitals today. When I saw her eyes tear up I had to look away so that I wouldn't cry myself. Those times I feel so helpless. While I was there she received her Nupogen shot, which she winces when its given. The stuff stings when given too quickly, and she gets it in the hip. Mark also came by this afternoon to keep company and study a bit before school. He has a test tonight. The docs came by for daily rounds and checking on her temperature status. Christy had spiked a fever early this morning so she is now on antibiotics. I can't even guess how many drugs that makes. The subject of mouth sores was discussed again, and if they show up can of course morphine medicate that. Well, she won't care how many drugs she's taking with that stuff! It's always great to see Christy in person, of course the plaid pants she was wearing today looked especially snappy. And when I left she was ready for a little snooze.
2/23/2000 When I called, Christy was visiting with her dad and sucking on a Popsicle. They seem to be the only thing that has any kind of flavor for her along with the sugarless Jolly Rancher's. But that doesn't make for a great diet. Since last night the staff and nurses had been trying to get Christy a new pump machine. Every time she would unplug it for a shower or walk the thing would beep all the time. Tonight they think they had accomplished that. Earlier in the day it was rather slow. Christy had no motivation to get dressed or showered until Sergeant Cathy Powell showed up at about 12:30 p.m. to kick her but out of bed and get motivated. Cathy helped her shower and dress and had her eat a bit of mom's vegetable tulu. The girls also tried walking some but the beeper was just too annoying and so they only went about three times around. Steve and Renee came by after that, so it's a good thing she took that shower. Christy then had a couple of hours to herself in the afternoon when at 4:30 p.m. a surprise knock came at the door. Mark and the kids had come for hugs. He had picked the kids up early from daycare and took them home for baths and de-germing. Nathan was so proud of the sugar cookies he had made with Aunt Lyn and was barely in the door wanting to tell the whole story and give them to her. They had a great visit and it really brightened her day. I really could feel the smile on her face over the phone as I was talking with her. Christies dad was with her later in the evening watching and commenting on the show, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. Christy says it was a slow day, those were her first words. I don't think so! You be the judge.
2/24/2000 It was a "Friends" kind of day today. Christy stayed in her jammies for the whole morning until her lunch date called to say she was on her way. At 12:30 when Kathy B. showed up Christy was not yet out of the shower. Motivation to get dressed today was a bare backside lunch with a dear friend, tomorrow, it could be streaking down the halls of C ward! Whatever it takes to get you out of bed sister. The "friends" chatted and Christy gobbled up some pasta that Kathy had brought from home. It was good to see her eat. After Kathy left, Christy rested a bit and was preparing to walk the ward when "friend" Renee came by. They talked for a while and after a while Christy did her six times around walk for the day. It was a surprise for Christy when by 8:00p.m. there were about nine "friends" who had stopped by to watch the show "Friends" with her. It was a set up of course, and we were having a "moment". Christy looked great (she still has her hair) and we were worried that we would get kicked out. All of the nursing staff is great on the ward, and they are very accommodating even when it comes to finding extra chairs. The company was great, the laughs were many. Thank you "friends".
2/25/2000 Christy up and showered by 10:30 a.m. this morning, which is a change from the usual 1:00 p.m. She had something to eat (about a cup of rice from last night). Her friend Renee came by before noon and together they walked about 15-18 times around the ward. It really helps to have someone to walk and talk with, Christy says. Even Christy needs needs a little bite in the butt now and then. Renee stayed for a while then left to let Christy rest for a bit. Cathy Powell came by later in the afternoon bringing some organic Macaroni and Cheese. Even though Christy commented on the huge amount of fat grams, she could see the value of the protein grams and ate most of it. Cathy stayed and watched Oprah then had to leave. Her dad, Jim came by a bit after that. Cerene came by at about 8:30 p.m. Then Mark and Brent stopped by to see Christy before the boys went on a rare outing of social and alcohol consumption exploration. Christy says she had a good day today. She had her last vitamin K shot, she is down to one anti-biotic, and her mild sore throat will most likely be the extent of the dreaded mouth sores. Everyone is a bit surprised that they didn't get blistery and painful like most patients mouths. Since her counts are still very low they will not release her now until the counts get a least double what they currently are and they stay that way. The projection is at least Wednesday or Thursday.
2/26/2000 I hate to report when Christy has had such a bad day, but she did. She still pulled through it and still walked a mile and a half as well. What a trooper! They day started with Christy getting an allergic reaction to the anti-biotic. She has a rash of bumps that are itchy, hot, and all over her body including her face. She tried dealing with it all day, mind over matter stuff. She tried concentrating on visiting and walking with Marilyn. Did the same when Jen stopped by to talk and walk more. Continued her focus on the kids and Mark when they stopped by for a visit. Maria was a little fussy and wouldn't sit with Christy which was a bit depressing for her. When they left the Bartson family came by to give her some dinner and do some decorating on the dry-erase board. By 9:00 p.m. Christy just couldn't take it any more and so they gave her some benedryl in her i.v. and that knocked her out for a couple of hours. When she woke up to go to the bathroom she almost fainted again getting back to her bed. Now, I don't think that they would let us post Jen or Cathy for bathroom - fainting duty during the night. Christy's blood pressure had gone down and she had spiked another fever of 102.6. She was given Tylenol and a dose of platelets. She was struggling with the itching and heat of the rash and was just feeling horrible. I could feel the tears behind her eyes as she was talking with me.
2/27/2000 AAAARGH!!!!! Prickly, swollen, bumpy, itchy, red and hot. It is all over Christy's body except her nose. They can't give her any topical ointment such as cortizone because it splits the skin and leaves it open to infection. The benedryl totally knocks her out and she still needs to get up and use the bathroom in the night, and she doesn't need any more close encounters with the floor. The shower water pounding on her skin brought some relief this morning, but its back to concentrating on other things. Easier said than done. Today Lyn and Allie came by for a visit and a walk. While in the hall they came across an adorable little boy with curly hair and a smiling sister. Mark had come by with the kids and to bring Christy some clothes. After their mommy fix Cathy P. and Teddy (girlfriend) came by and got her sister fix. They walked around the ward as well. Shortly after they left, the room filled up with mom and dad, Uncle George, Aunt Fran, and Mike Roman. So, Christy didn't have too much time to herself to dwell on the rash. It really helps her to be distracted. She still doesn't have much of an appetite. But the hospital food is dreadful. Try dry Rice Krispies, cream of broccoli soup and whipped fake mashed potatoes with chicken gravy. She loses her appetite at the sight of it. The doctors thinks her counts will start going up on Monday and if she's feeling good and the counts are satisfactory they will send her home. If the doc "feels like it." Sometimes these doctors do have a sense of humor. Like on the morning rounds when the doctor says, "So all hair present and accounted for?" Then points out a few strays on Christy's pillow. Her hair is starting to come out, all over. At least this is for the last time. She'll be back to that cool hair do in time for spring.
2/28/2000 Today was busy. Christy had visitors throughout the day and they came like an endless string of yarn. First there was Kathy B. who brought lunch. On Kathy's way down to the parking lot she met up with Marilyn and Lyn who where on their way up. As Christy was walking the ward, in the hall she met up with her mom, Tula. They all then chatted together for a while, then Mark came through the door. As Marilyn left, Cathy P. came on board. Waite, I'm not done yet. Mark left Christy among the chicks. Not long after that Jen R. stepped through the door. Then Allie brought dinner. A yummy turkey dinner with the trimmings which she gobbled up. End of the line. And although the company help with the distraction of itching, she was tired by the end of the day. The nights have been long for Christy. She usually doesn't get to sleep until after midnight because they take vitals then. The five remaining hours she is just happy if she's comfortable for a bit at a time. The steroids have also been playing with her emotional psyche. She has been thinking a lot at night. The dark thoughts creep in and she really has to struggle to keep the demons of depression and negativity away. The cancer ward, where everyone is sick, is getting to her. There has been a man down the hall that Christy had noticed fighting his cancer. Unfortunately he lost today.
2/29/2000 I think there is a light at the end of the tunnel as far as the rash goes. Christy has been feeling some relief with the drug Adorax. Although she didn't sleep at all last night. At 3:00 a.m. she finally had to turn on the TV to break the bad thoughts going on in her head. She is torn between needing to go home to get some sanity and positive thoughts back, and wanting to keep the safety net of the hospital. Today, Kathy B. came by for her standing lunch date with Christy. I dare say, if she didn't bring food, Christy would not be eating. She dined on a delicious tomato and basil fettuccine. Bridget came by and they walked a mile together. Later in the afternoon Marilyn and Lyn came by. Christy received platelets again. Her white counts are 5.3, the normal is 5.00-10.00. This is what the doctors were looking for in order to release her. Her hair has started to come out in clumps in the shower, so she is back to using her bandana and hats. According to the predictions, she had her hair about 4 days longer than expected. Here comes the electric razor! The doctors were going to release her today, but since she has to be in clinic to get platelets and blood drawing tomorrow morning, they kept her until then. Christy will need to go back to the hospital Thursday morning for the lab routine, and if things look good on Friday morning they remove the lines from her chest. So, think good white-cell counts for Christy, and prayers to get her through these days of recovery.
3/1/2000 Today Christy flew the coop. Her white counts were 4.3, reds 8.9, and her platelets were 18. The doctors didn't feel she needed to get extra platelets today so she was released. Mark wheeled an apprehensive, and nervous Christy down to the car at about 11:30 a.m. She said it felt weird and a bit scary because she is still worried about complications or anything that may happen in the middle of the night. However she was really looking forward to being with the kids at home. While Mark went and did some grocery shopping Christy tried to take a nap but really couldn't sleep. When the kids came home from pre-school/daycare they were really excited to have mommy home. Lyn and Theresa came by to help get the kids ready for bed and play. Cathy P. came by to shave Christy's head. Her hair had just been coming out in huge clumps now and it's easier to just have it shaved, and her sister has been doing the honors. After taking a shower and settling in, Christy was watching her happy and smiling children and feeling grateful in the comfort of her surroundings.
3/2/2000 It was a day of rest. Prescribed by everyone for the sanity and well being of Christy. Or as I used to say, "taking a mental health day". Today Jane C. came over with her kids to play and take care of the Yenkel kids. Mark drove Christy over to her mom's quiet house (they are up north) where she could spend the day resting and focusing on healing. There she dozed here and there and had some good quiet hours. Mark then picked her up and took her home at around 5:00 p.m. The Bartson's had come by for the evening shift of help and play. Christy, Maria, and Sydney were able to take a nice walk around the neighborhood before dark. Jen came by as well to help with the baths and settling the kids down. They had a long day of great excitement and nonstop activity so they needed to be unwound. While the craziness was going on, Christy had to excuse herself and lay down from all the noise. Its going to take some getting used to, going from solitude to Nathan being a very loud dinosaur. Not to mean she doesn't love hearing his voice, she does. She just wishes he were platypus not Tyrannosaurus Rex! Tomorrow Christy has her doctor appointment to see what the plan is for the next few weeks. She will also have her line removed if she no longer needs platelets or blood. So, keep those good thoughts coming. Now that she's home she is hoping to read all the e-mails and return some.
3/3/2000 I apologize for taking so long to update you. I kind of left you all hanging. On Friday Christy had her appointment with Dr. Ayash at U.M. They talked about the nodules on her chest, the side of the mastectomy. The doctor didn't seem concerned about them to be anything other than scar tissue. Relief! Christy's counts were up without the help of additional platelets or blood, so they were able to pull the line from her chest. She won't be going back to U.M. now for 100 days. Relief. Next week they will take another round of blood tests for counts and such, then its on to see her oncologist at St. Joe's Dr. Chotner. Christy will get checked every three months with chest x-rays and exams. They discussed the possibility of Christy taking a type of cancer vaccine that they give to women for five years post-mastectomy. This route is unavailable for Christy's case. They are however testing new vaccines all the time, and if one is found suitable for her they will explore that possibility. Until then, they will just have to watch her very closely. Christy joked that it was so nice that everyone wanted to watch her "so closely". In the closing of her appointment the doctor commented on how strong of a person Christy was and commended her on her spirit. Christy's reaction was humble. "I didn't have any other choice, did I?" Then the doctor her warned her of "treatment withdrawl". It's something that happens to patients who have dealt with such a serious illness and treatment takes over their life for such a long period of time. The patients have a hard time dealing with everyday normal life and getting back into a normal routine prior to the illness. Christy smiled and said she would call if that happens. (she doubts it) As she was leaving the hospital Christy felt like she could breath for the first time. She walked in to her appointment with the nervous stomach and tight chest, and left feeling like she could fly. Mark had taken the day off to be with Christy, so they went home to get back to normal. Mark clipped branches in the back yard, Christy rested, the kids played. It was a beautiful day, and Cathy P. was able to enjoy a nice walk with Christy in the afternoon sun.
A note on the updates: I will be making the last update on Sunday the 12th. At that time Christy and I will decide where to go from here.
4/23/2000 Can you believe it has been a year since Christy was diagnosed? So much has happened to make this year fly by, and yet take forever to get through the mud. With heavy hearts we all began this web page that has turned out to be a lifeline of sorts. It was a place for us all, as friends of Christy's, to feel connected. However, as difficult and heartbreaking as this year was, so many wonderful silver lining moments occurred within those dark clouds. As much as I would not have wanted any of this to happen, I am so grateful for the incredible moments this situation allowed me to have with Christy. The light of friendship that we all share together is amazing and powerful. Together we can do great things!
A week ago Christy got together as many girlfriends that were able and walked in the Detroit Zoo-Susan Koman Race for the Cure. As I was walking with Christy and the girls, the many family members and friends of loved ones taken by this horrible cancer moved me to tears. I was also uplifted by the pink hat-wearing survivors that are keeping up the fight. We are the fortunate ones in that our friend Christy is with us today, and keeping our minds on the task of finding a cure.
This website has served us well in finding out about our dear friends progress, as well as forecasting this seasons fashion craze for Plaid! It is now time to let Christy get on with the business of living her life. We want to know how you all feel about what to do with this website, if anything. Turn it into something completely different? Perhaps a "friends" communication exchange of sorts, for example. You tell us. E-mail Christy here at the website or me, at: mia@plaidpants.com.
And now, you're in for a treat. Here is a health update and status of her condition straight from Christy.
I saw Dr. Chottiner at St. Joe on Wednesday, April 5. It was a good visit. She was nervous to see me because she wasn't sure what she was going to find with the nodules that have been on and above my scar. She determined that since no change had occurred that they are scar tissue. I also told her that Dr. Ayash from UM also thought the same thing and not to worry. So needless to say I was again relieved. It will be interesting to see what my surgeon thinks when I visit him in May. I mentioned to her that I felt as if I had been beaten up this time around. She replied that, "We have been beating you up for the last year". She says that other women have felt the same way after the second transplant. My blood counts were good, and they will check from now on for thyroid problems due to the fact that I had radiation to my neck. I asked her what the frequency of our visits would by, that I probably wasn't lucky enough to do the somewhat standard every three month visit for two years, etc. She said that she wanted to see me every month for awhile, so that she could examine my chest and incision area. Nothing has been standard for me so far, so why should my check-ups be any different? I guess this is a good thing. Even though it is very difficult psychologically to go to these appointments, I will have to just grin and bare it as I have done for the past 12 months. Dr. Chottiner also said that she would probably repeat bone scans and CT scans every 6-12 months. She is most worried about the cancer recurring in the same area not some place else. My estrogen receptor negative status doesn't allow me to go on hormone replacement therapy such as Tamaxofen or other drugs. She says that with this status if the cancer reoccurs at all it will happen within the first two years. I'm thinking that there is no way that there is going to be a recurrence. Of course this is going to be one of my daily struggles and something that I am going to have to work thru as all women with Breast Cancer have to.
I will have a series of appointments during the next 5 weeks that I need to get through before I feel like I can start to really breath again. They are as follows:
Mammogram for right breast April 24
Visit with my surgeon, Dr. Arneson May 3
CT Scan, Muga Scan, Chest X-ray May 15
100 day transplant visit, Dr.Ayash May 24
Visit with Dr. Chottiner June 7
I hope that the information above will give everyone an idea of what will happen in the months to follow.
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped Mark and I with the kids, who has made food for us, who have called us, sent me cards, sent us emails, sent me gifts. Thank you for your love and support over the last year. I don't know what we would have done without everyone's help, good thoughts and prayers. We love you all!!!
P.S My friends, Julie and Kim (sisters) that live in Lake Tahoe will be doing a 60-mile, three day walk for breast cancer in California. They will be walking in honor of me and three other friends who have had breast cancer. We thought it would be a great idea to put the information on the website. She is obligated to raise $1800. Look for more information to come about this walk on the website homepage.
Well, Christy and I look forward to the suggestions. Don't be shy; there are no bad ideas. Christy still has the battery of tests to get through in May, so we will update this page as it seems necessary. So keep checking us out!